Tiltable-switch-adjusting means



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,629

7 L. A. M. PHELAN TILTABLE SWITCH ADJUSTiNG IEANS Filed Nov. 27, 1925 r yam/014W jZz/eiz q orz' m @WGM W,WM a

Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,651,629- P AiTENTii OFFICE.

7 LOUIS A. M. PHELAN, on BELOIT, WISCO SIN, Ass'IG oR ro'iA'BsoL' r'E coN-trao roa CORPORATION, or BELOIT, V/ISCONSIN, A coRPo A'rIo OF W scoNsIN.

TILTABLE-swI'roH-ADJ sTING MEANS. I

Application filed November 27, 1925. Serial No. 71,858.

ing and breaking being effected by the movement of a meniscus of mercury from one end of the tubeto the other, said mercury in one position of the tube bridging the aforesajid: electrodes. Ina switch of this character it. is par.-

ticularly desirable to obtain a very close control of the actuation thereof, and moreover, to be able to adjust this control very ac- %:ura'tely. Y

,Insueh .a switch itis also highlydesirable H g and is adapted to be movedifrom onetend to T to provide means whereby the strain-on'the leadfiwires, which are attached to--.the con-- tactor-tube, is reduced to a minimum when saidcontactor is tilted from side toisidex As,

will hereinafter be more apparent-wlien,my-

inventionis described in detail, the lead wires of-v-such a contactor sw1tch-are',of

course,-moved each time-the swifichitseIf is' i1llt8tl3f-IYOIX] side to side, and -I have found that a marked increase in the durability of @3101 member 22'about said shaft"25i" An insulating washerlike:membei"=26 floats on" said shaft 25 and-has-perfdrations'atherein the 'leadavires maybe obtained wby associatingtherewith means in accordance withmy invention, which comprises in; part bringing :said leadwvires substantially to-the centerof tilt-of the-switch tube. W?

Again the bringing of the lead wires'to the- ,center of. rotation of the-switch,- which is one -of the particular features of this 40 phase of my invention, insures the: movementof the switch tube without'any-dragbeing imposed upon said movement by the flexible-lead wires attached to the contactor. f

A better understanding of my invention may be had from ing, inwhich:

Figure 1 isa front, elevational view of a mercury tube switch and casing embodying my invention; I i

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partially in section of said switch; and

tact strips 16-16, and from-these trodes 18., The saidacontactor :tube 19- is said contactor. 19,- ;:thereby minimizing- 150 a marked degree; the straimwhich would otherthe accom an in raw- Y p s d ;1I} COI1 I1Ct10I1 with:apressurezresponsive de' :VICG, andion this purpose'vhaveshown, as'il- 4 lustrative. only, a :conta1ner;27 inwhich the-- Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view of a detail of my inventiom V Referringnow more particularly to the drawings, my switch comprises a base member 10,- which has wall portions 11 upstanding therefrom forming a box-like container in which the operating elements of my switch inay be disposed, the'samebeing closed by a id12. 1 I- A terminal board 13 is :positioned within the switch container and hasimounted there-- upon .binding posts.-14 14ito which the wires leading from the; .device' to'be controlled are attached. Similar bindinggposts 15-45. are

connected to said posts": l t-"1 throughconposts 15 15 lead wires 1717 are-taken: be. S

The other ends of-thesehwires'are connected to electrodes 187-18 positioned-in an evacuated sealed mercury container. tube 16' in which a massofmereuryi2Q-is positioned i the other of .Silldtllbfl to. abridge said elecrigidly secured -;in- -a clipi21,:which= latter clip is fixed, to, a ti'lta'blefsupporting member'- 22. --This tiltable; member 22gisrsubs'tantially L-shaped when viewed fromithe; sidefwhere by two bearing portions==23;and 24 are provided through which: aa shaft -25 ri'protrudes,

providing thereby a pivotal mounting-for fore, "that the.-.,lea"d .wires 'are-broughtas close. as: practicable :to the center of tilt of pressurevaries, the fluid under pressure be-' mg conducted through a-.c0nduit28 to an expansibleand contractib'lecasing 29, which latter sprovided at itsIefthand. side with a dowriwarddirection-and" passes through a knife edge or other like bearing device 30. A member 31 is pivotally mounted on the base, or other fixed portion of the switch, and is adapted to be moved in response to said pressure changes by reason of the press, ing thereagainst of the knife edge 30, and it will be observed that, upon the movement of said member to the left, said member 31 is swung to the left. 1 7 An adjustable spring 32 has its lefthand end connected to a slotted portion 33 surrounding member 3l whereby, when 'sai dmember 29 contracts, the member-31 18 0911 stantly kept in-contact with the actuating knife edge or point 30, the aforesaid 'sprin 32'being capable of adjustment throu' f the thumb screw 34'. Asl-ot. 35= iscut'in' t o lip-" per end of the member 31 and extends across; the top of said member. An adjustable screw member 36 is adapted to be moved normally to the front surface bf 'me-mber-3l andj'has an inner tapering end 37, which end ismov-f able normally to thewallsof theslot 35j-( as best shown in Fig- 3).

A- phosphorus; bronze' \vire, or l'i-kespring 1 member;--38 has-one. of its-ends securely-fits tened to the'lefthand sideof' niembei- .31 by a screw 39. :This-spring wire is biased in the slot 35,:being so=confined by the walls of said slot that it maymove only 'in' a vertical direction; -By reference te -Fig. 3, itf will befseen that thisspring or wire isbiased in such a direction that it constantly downward against the tapering end 'of'the' screw 36. a The other end'of said wire bent at right angles andextends" througha triangular opening ll iii-the member '22, i said opening being""above'= the pivotal point about which' be swung.

By referring to the drawing, it will'be seen that when the screw 36-is adjusted so that the tapering end' thereof moves normally to said member '22 is adapted to the walls of the-slot 35, the spring 38 will be raised or lowered, whereupon the outer 'end of the wire '40 will travel in an'arc. Movement 'of said wire end 40 from-thefbaseof the triangular opening 41"to the apex'of the with the sides of the opening and thereafter moving said tiltable switch. I

If on the other hand, said end'40 is raised by manipulation of the screw 36, until i't is positioned substantially in the upper apex of the triangular opening, then said contactor tube will instantly respond to pressure changes, there being no lost motion between said endflO and the sides of the opening 41. Any desirable adjustment between these two extremes may be proridcd for by means of my novel arrangement through movement of the knurled port-ion 36 and the raising or lowering of the spring 38 by the tapering end 37 of the screw.

Moreover, the above described adjusting means eventuates a very close control of the tilting time of the switch, and is particularly desirable in that the operator of the switch may at all times have a visual indication of just how he has changed the adjustment control.

While I have described but one embodi ment of" my invention, it is obvious that many modifications of this type of projecting end and triangular opening structure may be proposed without departing from the inventive concept above described,'and I desire, therefore, that my invention bc limited only by the scope of the appended claims or by the prior art.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the -United States is:

1. In a tiltable switch, a pivotally mount ed tilting member having an opening of varying width formed therein, an actuating element loosely connected to said member by having one of its"ends project through said opening, and means for moving said projecting end longitudinally of said opening to vary the times between contact with the opposed sides of said opening.

2.-In a tiltable switch, a pivotally mountedtilting member having an opening of varying width formed therein, an actuating element loosely connected to said member by having one of its ends project through said'opening the other end of: said clement being adjustably secured and the element bemgmovable as a whole to effect movement of said switch, and means for raising the projecting end of said element to move the same longitudinally of said opening.

3. In a tiltable switch, a pivotally mounted tilting member having an opening of varyingwidth formed therein, an actuating element loosely connected to said member by having one of its ends project through said opening, another member responsive to predetermined changes, the other end of said element being adjustably secured to the latter member and movable as a whole thereby to actuate saidtilting member through contact with the sides of said opening.

4. In a tiltable switch, a pivotally mounted tilting member having an opening of varying width formed therein, an actuating element loosely connected to said mcmlrcr by having one of its ends project through said opening, another member responsive to predetermined changes, the other end of said elementbeing-adjustably secured to the latter member and movable as a whole thereby to actuate said tilting member through contact-with the sides of said opening, and

means associated with said responsive memberfor'moving the projectingend of said element insaid opening. 1 r I T 5.- In a tiltable switch, a pivotally mounted tiltable member having a triangular opening therein, an, actuating element having one end-projecting through -said opening to effeet a loose connection at substantially all :times between said element and said tiltable member, another member responsive to prem determined-conditions, theother end of said element being. connected :to said latter member, and means for moving the projecting Bend oisaid element from :the jbase to the apex of-said 0pening. .to vary' i the tilting action of-saidswiteh m, i

-: tiiIn-atiltable switch, a pivotally mounted- Y .+til t-able member 2' having. a triangular opening 1 therein, aan actuating element comprising a sprin member having one end pro- ]ecting throug1 said opening to effect a looseiconinectio'n at substantially all times between .said elementand 'said I tiltable member another -r member responsive to predetermined;conditions,':the other end of said springcelement be'ingrconneoted to said latter member, and means .for' moving the projectingiend of said; element 'from the base to it, theapexziotqsaid opening to vary the 'tilting action 'o'fz-s'aidswitch comprising a memher, OILJfSfi id responsive member which may be1movedf =to -;raise -said spring and thereby move ;its free end? '7. In a-t-iltable'fswitch,-aj pivotally mounted tiltablermembe'r, a mercury tube contac tor mounted on said member, lead wires attached -to said -c'ontactor, and means 'for minimizing the movement of said lead Wires -*when said c-ontactor is tilted comprising a movable pivoted member having perfora tions--thereingthrough which said wires are passed;

8'. Int: tiltable switch, a pivotally mounted tiltab'le. member, a mercury tube contactor mounted on said member, lead wires attached tosaid contac'tor, and means for minimizing 'rthe movement of said lead wires when said contactor is tilted compris- -:ing aimovable pivoted member having perforations therein through which said wires are passed,. said member being mounted substantially-coaxially of said tiltable member.

;9.;=In:a tiltable switch, a tiltablemember, a shaft on which said member is mounted, a mercury-tube contactor supported on said member, lead wires attached to said contacts, and means for minimizing the movement'ioffsaidwireswhen said contactor is tilted comprising a member floating on said shaft and having perforations therein through which said wires loosely pass.

10. In a tiltable switch, a tiltable mercury tube contactor switching element, lead-wires attached to said contactor, and means for reducing to a minimum thestrain of said lead wires comprising a. member having perforations therein through which said wires are loosely passed, which member is disposed substantially at the center of tilting movement of said contactor and is free to in any direction.

11. In a tiltable switch, a tiltable mercury tube contactor switching element,'lead wires attached to said cont-actor, and'means' for reducing to a minimumtheestrain of said lead wires comprising an insulating washer through which said wires-are loosely passed and which is adapted to m0ve-r1on-= gitudinally of the axisabout which said cont-actor tilts and also to have a rotary a ivtaii movement thereabout. V

12. In a tiltable switch,

mounted :tiltable member having ar-trian-igular opening therein, an. actuating elementcomprising a spring member having one endthereof projecting through said opening and adapted to contact with the'sides of the latter and thereby move said tiltable member, another member movable in re sponse to predetermined conditions,'-= the other end of said spring being attached tosaid latter member, and means comprising a movable tapering "memb eroverwhich said spring rides for varying the pos t on of" said projecting end of said opening a 13. In a tiltable switch," a -pivota ly mounted tiltable member having atriangu lar opening therein, an -actuating element comprising a spring member having one end thereof projecting through said opening and 1105 ter and thereby move said tiltable member,

adapted to contact with the sides of the lat another member movable in response to pre determined conditions, and having a slot in the upper end thereof, saidspring passing through the slot and having its other end secured to the far side of said responsive member, and a tapering element movable normally to the walls of said slot and upon which said spring rides whereby movement of said tapering element lifts the end of the spring projecting through said opening, and

varies the distance which said actuating element may travel before contacting with the side walls of said opening.

14. In a tiltable switch, mounted tiltable member having a triangular opening therein, a mercury tube'contactor mounted thereupon, an actuating element having one end projecting through said opening, another pivo'tally' mounted member adapted to be moved in response to predetermined conditions," the other end of said actuating element being adjustably secured to said latter member, pressure re sponsive means for moving said latter mema pivotally I ber,.-and meansfor va-rying'theposition of said-projecting end in said opening, said means comprising a -taperingumember adjustably' threaded in'said-T'esponsire aneurher and bearing against said actuatingme'mber. 4 .1 5 a v 15.' Ina devicezofithewlassdescribed. a supporting member having. a slot -its.'en 'l,' a spring member-'biased. toward-saidsupporting member and confined by Ptheivalls of the-slot, a member' :liav-ing' aft'apering .end movable normallyto'lthe walls of said; slot and over \rhielrsaidsprin rideswvhereby the movement of said tapered end-=n'iember raises andloweis said spring member.

16.' In a tiltable switch, a pi otally mounted tiltable member, an actuating member, a mercury tube cont-actor mounted-on; said. tiltable member, lead \i'ires connected to the ZO-samo, means for varying the relative. position ofsaid tiltahle. member and-said. actuator, and means for fimini'inizingtthe strain on said=;lead wires. comprising a floating memberi positioned at .substa-nt-ial iy the;; ce n'ter of tilt. of said -e0ntaet0r- .and-:throughiwhich the wires are passed: .-2 1- -7 :17.:'In an electric switchya?baseya'shait fixed rthereto aisupporting: member. ;pi\'ot ally mounted on said.shafitsnnnercury contactjor: fixed; on said-supporting Ememben; lead-wires:conneeted=fmmzsuidrbasejtoi slhidi contaetor, mea ns i-foiz mi-n'iiniz ing thtnsbrain; on.- said avires when-said! contactor-iise' tilted comprising ansinsulating washer floating Eo'n saic'l i-shaf t through-which said \'ll ,S .iare

looselybpassed, a notheri unember mounted 1011-; said base. and movable in'responset0;;pres:I sure change's, ;the latter mem ber havi'ng.=;a-; slot ;in; itjsupper end, 31- spr'ing; ginir lik eimfi lrf bet gq d 'to said pressure;-res-ponsiveimenta her-and passingthroughsaid s1ot-,--b eiri'geon fined by the wall-s oflthedatteizrso:that'it; n' ay-.n1ove vertically; only-- id =supp'ontiin member; havinga triangular opening there'ni 3 through fwhicli the free: endgof; said sprirg; projects, ;.a-ndan -adj ustable; screw; ipa ssing through said 1pressnremesponsi've-; member and having an inner larjeredfiend: movable; normally. to the walls efs aid 1 slot, Jsa'id/ spring pressing against saidtapredanmhber; whereby ,an in-and-out movemelitfioi -sa'id serewraises'and lowersgsaid splj-ingio Tvary: the'position vof -itsfree end in'said opening \\'hereby an accurateadjustment}of the tilt ing time of said switch isobtained. 1 Y

18. ln an electric switch, abase, a-ishaft fixed thereto, a supporting member pivot-f ally. mounted on said shaft, :1 n'iereury tube contactor fixed on said supporting member, another member mounted on saidbase and movable in response to pressure changes, the

latter member having a slot in its upper end,

a spring wire-lil e member secured to vsaid pressure r onsive member and passing through sa i d slot, being-confined by them walls of thelatterso that it may move v'e tically only said supporting member-having a triangular opening therein through Whichthe free end of said spring rjprojects, and-an adjustable screw passing throughsaid'prelssure responsive memberand 'havi'ng-an'inne'rtapered end movable normally to-the walls 'of said slot, said spring pressing-against said tapered member whereby an in=an d-o'uff movement of said screw raises mid'low'ers said sprint to vary the position of its free end in-said opening whereby an accurate" adjustment of the tilting time of said switch" is obtained.

19. In a'tiltable switclg'a pivot ally mount ed tilting member having an opening there in. means having a projectionthemed-for actuating said tilting memberf salid member and said means being adjustably ooim'eetedby means of said projection enga g ing said" Opening- :..;:1'..' =\i'. .i.':v :12 2 5,

20. In a tilta' leswiteh','a pivotall mount-Z edtilting mernber havingia: trianguliir'open l ing. therein, ineans 'havin =a=prbjeetion there? on f for actuating said tilting member,said member and said= means being ad'ustablyi connected -by.- znieans of';gsziid projec 'on enf gagipg said' iopenin :1.- eur; Janina-re 21. Iii nitiltable switch; a =pivdtallym'putlt-ji ed :tiltirig 'rnembere-iniezms ha ving 'a pnojec395 tion thereon for:aotuatiirgshiditiltin'ghem ber, .said rnembe ri havinglan openirig iformed therein Efor: :reeeivipgi.saidqprojetionpsiid opening being of such shape thiilt d'us't ment-uof 'siiidoprojeetioti"therdiri ivari the 100. time 50f: response of said ti-lt'able: m'diiiliii [F1 QQxInua til-tablwswitch}zipivottlijflflxbflnt ed tilting, 2 meinbeqtm'eansnhavibg azjp foie tion-itheredni'for 'lietuain'ng'saitb tilting mrn her, said: membemlfavirig'an-i opening of prO' gressively deereasing iwidth formed therein for receiving sa id-proq'edtion; iz'nd meaits formoving said projection to var the timez a'ti which-said proj tion imor ita'ets' ith' the sides -23. lnm; deviceof theelzis s: desbribeik'ifl snpporting member' hzuzin a'slot i iii 516116351 an actuating: inemberisecured to :sa'id' sup f porting: member and ieo'nfined gby the walls of saidjslotj and means form'ovingi said-'aet uating member comprisingza-itapering element over which 'said :a ctuat'ing'ineansrides and which is-movable normally th'erto -to"raise and lower the-same; f

' In witness where0f,t-I:-h scribed my name. 7

oms A M. HEILANQ ave hereunto 

